But let's look at the team right now, from the perspective of what we need out of him. I think this is a better defense than 2001, definitely at least no worse. Much better backs and wideouts. And obviously the coaching is the same.

So what would we need from Cassel to win a super bowl?

Look at the numbers. They're not much to look at. Average of 1-2 passing touchdowns a game, a few stinkers, but most importantly, very few mistakes. I saw things out of him yesterday that looked good; a few passing downs where he didn't see anything, and instead of throwing into coverage he took off and made a few plays with his legs.

Yeah, obviously there are going to be some 4th quarter drives where he'll have to come up big, and we can't tell how he's going to react, but if he can be competent with managing the ball, not throw stupid interceptions, and get into the end zone twice a game, this is still a playoff team. Potentially a conference winner.

Brady wasn't Brady for a few years... And I hesitate to say this, but running the shotgun 70% of the time didn't win us any Super Bowls. Defense and game management did. I'm hoping Cassel can do that for us; what's important to remember is that he doesn't need to be Tom Brady, he just needs to be an above-average guy who doesn't make mistakes.

Here's to the 2008 Patriots. You will take the AFC East from their cold, dead hands.

But let's look at the team right now, from the perspective of what we need out of him. I think this is a better defense than 2001, definitely at least no worse. Much better backs and wideouts. And obviously the coaching is the same.

So what would we need from Cassel to win a super bowl?

Look at the numbers. They're not much to look at. Average of 1-2 passing touchdowns a game, a few stinkers, but most importantly, very few mistakes. I saw things out of him yesterday that looked good; a few passing downs where he didn't see anything, and instead of throwing into coverage he took off and made a few plays with his legs.

Yeah, obviously there are going to be some 4th quarter drives where he'll have to come up big, and we can't tell how he's going to react, but if he can be competent with managing the ball, not throw stupid interceptions, and get into the end zone twice a game, this is still a playoff team. Potentially a conference winner.

Brady wasn't Brady for a few years... And I hesitate to say this, but running the shotgun 70% of the time didn't win us any Super Bowls. Defense and game management did. I'm hoping Cassel can do that for us; what's important to remember is that he doesn't need to be Tom Brady, he just needs to be an above-average guy who doesn't make mistakes.

Here's to the 2008 Patriots. You will take the AFC East from their cold, dead hands.

Click to expand...

I'm with you on the cautiously optimistic front. I think anyone we trotted out at QB would suffer due to the Brady comparisons, but if you efface Tom Brady completely from the annals of the NFL -- he never existed -- and here is this NE Patriots team with all this talent all over the field, great coaching, and let's say Jon Kitna is the starting QB, everyone would still be saying they are the team to beat in the AFC East and a Super Bowl contender.

Now Kitna goes down and in comes the very same Matt Cassel. I think people are still talking about the team in a similar fashion, with some obviously reduced expectations.

It's simply the perspective generated by downgrading from Brady that makes it look so bad. But remove that comparison from equation, and this is still a playoff team, and any team that makes the playoffs can win the Super Bowl.

I don't know about comparing this team to 2001. I mean, I see the temptation but that team caught people off guard. They had never done anything and weren't expected to. Belichick was still proving himself as HC.

I'm just saying that even without Brady, out team is most definitely on the radar. Has been for seven years now. It would be hard to get that "from out of nowhere" magic back.

But let's look at the team right now, from the perspective of what we need out of him. I think this is a better defense than 2001, definitely at least no worse. Much better backs and wideouts. And obviously the coaching is the same.

So what would we need from Cassel to win a super bowl?

Look at the numbers. They're not much to look at. Average of 1-2 passing touchdowns a game, a few stinkers, but most importantly, very few mistakes. I saw things out of him yesterday that looked good; a few passing downs where he didn't see anything, and instead of throwing into coverage he took off and made a few plays with his legs.

Yeah, obviously there are going to be some 4th quarter drives where he'll have to come up big, and we can't tell how he's going to react, but if he can be competent with managing the ball, not throw stupid interceptions, and get into the end zone twice a game, this is still a playoff team. Potentially a conference winner.

Brady wasn't Brady for a few years... And I hesitate to say this, but running the shotgun 70% of the time didn't win us any Super Bowls. Defense and game management did. I'm hoping Cassel can do that for us; what's important to remember is that he doesn't need to be Tom Brady, he just needs to be an above-average guy who doesn't make mistakes.

Here's to the 2008 Patriots. You will take the AFC East from their cold, dead hands.

Click to expand...

I am trying to be as positive as I can about the Pats right now......but also have to be realistic......

"but most importantly, very few mistakes" Herein lies the problem.....Cassel locks on his receivers ala Bledsoe and WILL make alot of mistakes......Anyone remember last year against Miami when he locked on the WR.....and they picked him off for a TD? Get used to that......Nothing against Matt....but he will be a INT machine.......